feel

verb \ ˈfēl \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Examples: feel in a Sentence

Definition of feel

felt play \ˈfelt\; feeling

transitive verb

1 a : to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

b : to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

2 a : to undergo passive experience of

continually felt the resentment of his competitors

b : to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by

felt the insult deeply

3 : to ascertain by cautious trial —usually used with out

feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements

4 a : to be aware of by instinct or inference

feel trouble brewing

b : believe, think

say what you really feel

intransitive verb

1 a : to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

lost the ability to feel in his fingertips

b : to search for something by using the sense of touch

She felt in her purse for her keys.

2 a : to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition

I feel sick.

b : to have a marked sentiment or opinion

feels strongly about it

3 : seem

it feels like spring today

4 : to have sympathy or pity

I feel for you

— feel like

: to have an inclination for

feel like a walk?

See feel defined for English-language learners

See feel defined for kids

Examples of feel in a Sentence

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.
I could feel the warmth of the sun.
I felt someone tap my shoulder.
Do you feel a draft?
She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.
Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones.

Recent Examples of feel from the Web

This is painful for everyone, especially the Orioles players who opened this season feeling pretty good about themselves.

— peter schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Schmuck: With Ravens waiting in the wings, this is perfect year to punt early on the Orioles," 7 July 2018
Conan Doyle, a Victorian dynamo with a walrus moustache and a passion for cricket and fair play, felt duty-bound to investigate.

— The Economist, "When Arthur Conan Doyle cried “J’Accuse…!”," 7 July 2018
If Google is to launch a gaming platform, its presentational savvy—the ability the company has to make using your technology feel slick, interesting, and healthily interconnected—will have to be the backbone.

— julie muncy, WIRED, "Can Google Really Launch a Viable Videogame Platform?," 7 July 2018
However, hourly earnings for nonmanagers are rising at the fastest pace in nine years this spring, suggesting the benefits of economic growth are being felt more widely.

— eric morath, WSJ, "U.S. Hiring Strong in June; Unemployment Rate Rises as More Enter Labor Force," 6 July 2018
Field, Peter, Paul and Mary (1986) The folk trio perfectly captures what many of us felt growing up playing Little League.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "The 10 best songs about baseball," 6 July 2018
The central table acts as a room divide, making the smaller tables on either side feel more intimate.

— michael bauer, SFChronicle.com, "Sorrel off to a stellar start in Pacific Heights," 6 July 2018
Courtesy of Publishers Though winter felt especially long, some good news: Summer has officially arrived.

— team marie claire, Marie Claire, "11 Best Beach Reads, According to Our Editors," 6 July 2018
His raps resonate because his voice grants dexterity to pains that can feel static and unmoving.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "The Cathartic Symphony of Future’s Beast Mode 2," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of feel

Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan; akin to Old High German fuolen to feel, Latin palpare to caress

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

feel Synonyms

Synonyms

perceive, scent, see, sense, smell, taste;

ascertain, catch on (to), discover, find out, hear, learn, realize;

anticipate, divine, expect, foreknow, foresee;

assume, conjecture, guess, presume, speculate, suppose, surmise, suspect;

feel

noun

Definition of feel

1 : sensation, feeling

2 : the sense of touch

3 a : the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch

b : typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere; also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere

4 : intuitive knowledge or ability

See feel defined for English-language learners

Examples of feel in a Sentence

the feel of old leather
Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique.
He liked the feel of the sun on his face.

Recent Examples of feel from the Web

The artificial turf is there to mimic the look and feel of Lambeau Field.

— elena weissmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lambeau Field Live at Summerfest features the Packers, virtual reality and crispy bacon," 1 July 2018
Bill Shine, a former Fox News co-president who helped create the look and feel of the channel’s conservative programming, is expected to be hired as the president’s new deputy chief of staff, overseeing communications.

— New York Times, "Fox News Once Gave Trump a Perch. Now It’s His Bullhorn.," 1 July 2018
Check out the photo gallery above for more photos — but here’s a peek at some of the changes: The restaurant by James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Mantuano was influenced by the look and feel of the communities surrounding northern Italy’s lakes.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "First Look: Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs," 28 June 2018
At Al Dhafra, there is little relief from the look and feel of being in a metal-and-concrete camp.

— estelle hanania, Allure, "Sky Warriors: A Day in the Life of Women in the U.S. Air Force," 21 June 2018
At a morning event that had the look and feel of a late-night rave, Instagram executives announced the launch of the new app.

— casey newton, The Verge, "Instagram announces IGTV, a standalone app for longer videos," 20 June 2018
The Elder Scrolls: Legends card game is relaunching later this year with a new look and feel, too.

— brad chacos, PCWorld, "Everything Bethesda revealed at E3: Fallout 76, Doom Eternal, Elder Scrolls VI, Starfield, more," 10 June 2018
The home's architect, Barry Smith, was asked to replicate the look and feel of the popular wooden cottage, but not its modest 3,700-square-foot layout.

— emma kate fittes, Indianapolis Star, "Hot Property: This $2.2 million Zionsville home is a super-sized Southern Living cottage," 8 June 2018
The building has the look and feel of an old farmhouse, complete with an old water storage device, a music stage made out of an old Chevy pickup and outhouse bathrooms (with proper plumbing).

— chuck blount, San Antonio Express-News, "52 Weeks of BBQ: Black Board Bar B Q," 8 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of feel

see ¹feel

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

feel Synonyms

Synonyms

feeling, sensation, sense;

Related Words

impression, perception;

hint, suggestion, touch;

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

FEEL Defined for English Language Learners

feel

verb

Definition of feel for English Language Learners

: to be aware of (something that affects you physically, such as pain, heat, or an object touching your body)
: to touch (something) with your fingers to see what it is like
: to find (something) by touching with your fingers

feel

noun

Definition of feel for English Language Learners

: the quality of a thing that is experienced by touching it
: a particular quality
: an understanding of something

FEEL Defined for Kids

feel

verb \ ˈfēl \

Definition of feel for Students

felt \ˈfelt\; feeling

1 : to be aware of through physical contact

feel cold

2 : to examine or search for by touching

The doctor felt for broken bones.

3 : to be conscious of

He felt a fear of the dark.

4 : to seem especially to the touch

This cloth feels like silk.

5 : to sense a physical, mental, or emotional state

felt sick

felt confused and angry

6 : to have sympathy

I feel for you.

7 : believe 4, think

Say what you feel.

— feel like

: to have an urge or desire to

Do you feel like taking a walk?

feel

noun

Definition of feel for Students

1 : sensation 2, feeling

He likes the feel of the sun on his skin.

2 : the quality of something as learned through or as if through touch

The sweater had a scratchy feel to it.

Medical Dictionary

feel

verb \ ˈfē(ə)l \

medical Definition of feel

felt play \ˈfelt\; feeling

transitive verb

1 : to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

felt the compress to see if it was wet

2 : to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

intransitive verb

1 : to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

2 : to search for something by using the sense of touch

feel

noun

medical Definition of feel

1 : the sense of touch

2 : sensation, feeling

Learn More about feel

See words that rhyme with feel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for feel Spanish Central: Translation of feel Nglish: Translation of feel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of feel for Arabic speakers

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feel

Definition of feel

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of feel from the Web

Origin and Etymology of feel

feel Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

feel

Definition of feel

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of feel from the Web

Origin and Etymology of feel

feel Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Psychology Terms

FEEL Defined for English Language Learners

feel

Definition of feel for English Language Learners

feel

Definition of feel for English Language Learners

FEEL Defined for Kids

feel

Definition of feel for Students

feel

Definition of feel for Students

Medical Dictionary

feel

medical Definition of feel

feel

medical Definition of feel

Learn More about feel

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